Isla Bennett
Our nails are produced by the nail matrix, which is the part of our body that makes new fingernails and toenails. Nails are prone to damage as they are located at the back of our fingertips and toes. Nail injuries can be caused by working, playing, or trauma, and long nails are more susceptible to damage. If a nail is lost, it will take about 7 to 10 days for the nail bed to heal, and a new fingernail will typically take 4 to 6 months to grow back. Toenails, on the other hand, can take up to 12 to 18 months to regrow.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Nail regeneration | Nails have good regeneration capacity but grow slowly |
| Time taken for a new nail to grow | It takes 4-6 months for a fingernail to grow back and 12-18 months for a toenail |
| Nail injuries | Nail injuries can cause the nail to fall off or lift away from the nail bed |
| Treatment for nail injuries | Treatment for nail injuries depends on the type and seriousness of the injury. In some cases, the nail may need to be removed and replaced with a special type of material |
| Nail infections | Fungal and bacterial infections are common nail infections. |
| Factors affecting nail growth | Aging, peripheral artery disease, and certain illnesses can affect nail growth |
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What You'll Learn
Nail injuries and treatments
A nail injury can occur when the nail, nail bed, cuticle, or the skin around the sides of the nail is cut, torn, smashed, or bruised. It can be very painful to tear or rip your nail from the nail bed. A severe injury could cause your nail to fall off. However, it usually grows back with proper medical care.
If you have a mild nail injury, board-certified dermatologists recommend treating your wound. If any part of your nail is hanging off, gently trim away the part not connected to your skin. Then, gently clean the wound using soap and water. If the wound is bleeding, don’t put a dry bandage or gauze on top. Instead, apply petroleum jelly to keep your wound moist and then cover it with gauze or a bandage. Repeat these steps every day while your wound heals. Do not put sticky products on your nail. Make sure to only apply sticky products, such as an adhesive bandage or medical tape, to the skin around your nail so you don’t irritate the injury further.
For more serious nail injuries, you should go to an urgent care center or the emergency room. They will stop the bleeding and clean the wound. Usually, the nail and finger or toe will be numbed with medicine before it is treated. For a larger bruise, your provider will create a small hole in the nail to allow blood and fluid to drain out and relieve the pressure and pain. If the bone is broken or the bruise is very large, the nail may need to be removed and the nail bed repaired. Part or all of the nail may be removed. Cuts in the nail bed will be closed with stitches. The nail will be reattached with a special glue or stitches. If the nail cannot be reattached, your provider may replace it with a special type of material. This will remain on the nail bed as it heals. Your provider may prescribe antibiotics to prevent infection.
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Nail biting and cuticle biting
Nail biting, clinically known as onychophagia, is a common habit that often begins in childhood. While many people outgrow the habit, it can become a lifelong struggle for others. It is frequently associated with anxiety, as it reportedly relieves stress, tension, or boredom. However, it can also be a habit transferred from earlier thumb or finger sucking.
Nail biting can lead to soreness of the nails and surrounding skin, and in rare cases, it can cause serious long-term damage. It can also increase the risk of stomach and intestinal infections if the individual swallows the bitten-off nails. Additionally, nail biting can pass harmful bacteria and viruses from the mouth to the fingers and from the nails to the face and mouth, leading to skin or nail infections.
To successfully quit nail biting, one must be committed to making a change. It is essential to identify triggers, which can be physical, such as hangnails, or emotional, such as boredom, stress, or anxiety. By understanding these triggers, individuals can develop a plan to avoid or manage these situations effectively. Dermatologists recommend keeping nails trimmed short, applying bitter-tasting nail polish, and maintaining well-groomed nails to reduce the temptation to bite. Gradually stopping nail biting, starting with one set of nails, can also help.
Cuticle biting is another common habit associated with nail biting. The cuticle is the transparent or white skin at the base of the nail. Biting the cuticle can lead to soreness and damage to the nail matrix, affecting nail growth and causing abnormal-looking nails. Similar to nail biting, cuticle biting can increase the risk of infections by transferring bacteria and viruses from the mouth to the fingers and nails.
To stop cuticle biting, it is crucial to address the underlying triggers and replace the habit with healthier alternatives, such as using a stress ball or fidget toy. Keeping the cuticles moisturized and pushed back can also reduce the urge to bite them. In addition, regular manicures can help maintain well-groomed nails and cuticles, making individuals less likely to bite them.
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Nail infections
Fingernails and toenails can be injured in several ways, including through trauma, irritation, or infection. Infections can occur when bacteria enter broken skin near the cuticle and nail fold, causing paronychia, a common nail condition. Paronychia usually results from staph infections caused by Staphylococcus aureus bacteria, although Streptococcus pyogenes bacteria can also be the culprit. Symptoms of paronychia include pain, swelling, and tenderness around the nail, skin that is red and warm to the touch, and pus that builds up under the skin. In some cases, a white to yellow, pus-filled abscess may form, requiring antibiotics and/or drainage.
Fungal nail infections are another common type of nail infection. These infections are caused by fungi that invade the nails and the skin underneath (nail bed). Toenails are more commonly affected than fingernails, and symptoms include cracked, yellow, discoloured, streaked, thickened, or spotted nails. Toenail fungus may appear as thick, yellow, cracked, or cloudy nails. Like bacterial infections, fungal nail infections can also lead to pus-filled abscesses.
Certain skin conditions, such as eczema and psoriasis, can also increase the risk of developing nail infections. For example, up to 80% of people with psoriasis develop nail psoriasis, which can cause white lines, pitting, and crumbling of the nails. Additionally, people with jobs that require their hands to be wet, such as bartenders and dishwashers, are at higher risk of developing paronychia.
It's important to treat nail infections promptly to prevent further complications. Most bacterial nail infections are treated with antibiotics, while fungal nail infections are typically treated with antifungal nail medicine or tablets. In some cases, badly infected nails may need to be removed under local anaesthesia. With proper treatment, healthy nails can usually grow back, although it may take several weeks or even months for the new nail to appear.
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Toenail fungus
Fingernails and toenails grow back after being damaged or falling off, although it may take several weeks or months for the new nail to appear. Toenails, in particular, can take up to 18 months to grow back. However, severe damage to the nail matrix, the "factory" where your body produces nails, can cause permanent nail loss. This is rare, though.
Now, onto toenail fungus. Toenail fungus, or onychomycosis, is a common fungal nail infection that affects the toenails. It is caused by fungi invading the toenail and the skin underneath (the nail bed). Toenails are more susceptible to fungal infections than fingernails because they are often confined in shoes, providing a warm, dark, and moist environment for fungi to thrive.
Symptoms of toenail fungus include thickening and discolouration of the nail, which may appear yellow, cracked, or cloudy. White marks frequently appear on the nail plate, and debris may collect beneath it. The infection can spread to other toenails, the skin, or even the fingernails. If left untreated, it can cause pain and difficulty walking.
To prevent toenail fungus, it is essential to practise good foot hygiene. This includes clipping toenails straight across, wearing well-fitting shoes made of breathable materials, avoiding tight hosiery, and wearing moisture-wicking synthetic socks. Disinfecting nail-cutting tools and avoiding nail polish on potentially infected nails are also recommended.
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Nail matrix damage
The nail matrix is the "factory" where your body makes new fingernails and toenails. It is where your fingernails and toenails form and is essential for healthy nails. The nail matrix has two parts: the germinal matrix and the sterile matrix. The germinal matrix is under the base of your nail, and the sterile matrix lies underneath. About 90% of nail growth comes from the germinal matrix, with the remaining 10% coming from the sterile matrix.
Injuries and certain health conditions can damage your nail matrix and interfere with nail growth. Minor damage to your nail matrix can temporarily change your nail's appearance. You might notice a change in how your nail feels, dents, horizontal ridges or lines, pain, splits or cracks, spots or streaks of colour, and texture changes such as thickening or crumbling.
In the case of severe nail matrix damage, some or all of your nail may not grow back. Trauma to the nail can cause the production of new nail cells to stop for as long as three weeks. Nail growth will usually resume at a faster rate and steady after about 100 days. However, if there is a deep cut or trauma to the germinal matrix at the base of the nail, it is possible the nail may never grow back.
Certain illnesses can also damage the nail matrix. For example, peripheral artery disease causes less blood flow to your legs and feet, which affects your nail matrix and can slow nail growth. Skin conditions such as eczema and psoriasis can also affect the nail matrix.
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Frequently asked questions
Yes, your thumbnail will grow back, but it may take time. It takes about 4 to 6 months for a fingernail to grow back, and up to 12 to 18 months for a toenail.
If your thumbnail falls off, you should ensure your tetanus vaccination is up to date. You should also treat the exposed nail bed with care, keeping it dry and clean to prevent infection. You can cover the area with petroleum jelly and an adhesive bandage until the nail has grown back.
There are several reasons why thumbnails fall off, including injury, fungal infection, skin conditions, and certain medications.
